A few Christmas thoughts

I was used to being away or working most Christmas periods. In the RAF we had a duty team to cover any call outs. We were usually stationed in Fort William or Newtonmore over the period. It meant we were away from our families a lot. This is like so many of the Emergency Services who cover the festive period. We stayed in the village Halls and Christmas Day was spent cooking for the team. There were no mobile phones in the early days and it often meant a few call via a phone box to our loved ones. Most Christmas days were spent on the hill these were quiet days yet we still had a few mountain incidents. Often the helicopter would come out and visit us on the hill training.

We often had Call outs at this time sadly more often in the later years for vulnerable people.These involved folk suffering from dementia or mental health issues. Never easy to cope with at any time of year far less than the festive period.

It will be hard for many this year as travel restrictions due to Covid have meant many families will not gather this year. There will be many folk alone. Please take time to think of them phone them or get in touch.

So to all who are working in the Hospitals, Police, Fire, Ambulance, RNLI, Coastguard, SAR helicopters Mountain Rescue teams and all other Agencies a safe and Happy Christmas.

It’s never a time to be alone and many will be.Thinking of you all and many thanks for your love and kindness over the years.

The tree in Inverness

Merry Christmas everyone.

Christmas Newtonmore